India, Sri Lanka discuss Tamil community, fishermen issue; PMs resolve to intensify co-operation

New Delhi: India on Tuesday said it hoped there will be genuine reconciliation with the Tamil community in Sri Lanka, to which the neighbour immediately reciprocated, saying it was looking at constitutional devolution of power to the ethnic minority. The issue figured prominently in a meeting between Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Ranil Wickremesinghe, who made his first foreign visit to India as Prime Minister after coming to power nearly a month ago. The two leaders held extensive talks on the issue and explored ways to deepen trade and defence engagements besides resolving to intensify cooperation in combating terror and securing the maritime neighbourhood. [caption id=“attachment_2434866” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Ranil Wickremesinghe. PTI[/caption] “I am confident that with the wisdom and will of the leadership in Sri Lanka and the support of the people, Sri Lanka will achieve genuine reconciliation and development, so that all Sri Lankans, including the Sri Lankan Tamil community, can live a life of equality, justice, peace and dignity in a united Sri Lanka,” said Modi at a joint media briefing. Wickremesinghe, on his part, responded saying his government was looking at devolution of power to ethnic Tamils under the provisions of the Constitution. “We are looking at how power sharing takes place within the Constitution,” he said. India has been pressing Sri Lanka to implement the 13th amendment on devolution of powers to fulfil the aspirations of the ethnic Tamils. The 13th amendment that followed the Indo-Sri Lankan Accord of July 1987 signed between then Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Sri Lankan President J R Jayewardene envisaged devolution of powers to the provinces in the midst of the island’s bitter ethnic conflict. On the fishermen issue, Modi said it was agreed that fishermen’s associations on both sides should continue their efforts to find a solution. “I conveyed to him that this should be seen as a humanitarian issue that affects livelihoods. I informed him of the steps we are taking to encourage Indian fishermen to take up deep sea fishing,” he said. Wickremesinghe said fishermen on both sides should continue discussions and come to a conclusion to resolve it in a time-bound manner. Thanking Wickremesinghe for choosing India for his first overseas trip after assuming charge of the high office, Prime Minister said both the countries will intensify cooperation in combating terrorism and work together for security and stability in the maritime neighbourhood. " We recognise our closely aligned security interests and the need to remain sensitive to each other’s concerns. We both reaffirmed our commitment to deepen our defence and security cooperation," he said. Modi, who is the first prime minister to visit the island nation after Rajiv Gandhi went there in 1987, said Sri Lanka is India’s largest partner in defence training programme and it will continue to expand cooperation in this area. Wickremesinghe said all the parties in his country wanted good relations with India. He said enhancing bilateral trade with India would help his country reach the goal of generating one million jobs in Sri Lanka over the next five years. “We think by end of the year, the two sides should at least come to an agreement in principle and by next year we should have an agreement,” he said at a joint press briefing with Modi. Modi sought support for Indian investors who are keen to participate in Sri Lanka’s economic development, especially in infrastructure, energy and transport sectors. “We welcomed some significant developments in bilateral relations since March, including the currency swap arrangement. We also expressed hope that progress on key bilateral initiatives and projects will gather speed now,” he said. Modi said the relationship between the two countries touches the hearts of ordinary Indians and Sri Lankans and that both the countries have a “huge stake” in each other’s success, and in stability and development in the region. The Sri Lankan prime minister said various issues, including those relating to ethnic Tamil population, and the UNHRC resolution referring to alleged human rights violation in Sri Lanka figured in his talks with Modi. Sri Lankan President Maithripala Sirisena had also chosen India as his first overseas destination after being elected to office in January. PTI